Taking the plunge for Special Olympics

Sunday

Feb 11, 2018 at 12:01 AMFeb 12, 2018 at 9:34 AM

By Beth Hunter, Daily News Correspondent

NATICK – Armed with chainsaws and augers, members of Natick AMVETS Post 79 carved a spacious hole through 14 inches of slippery ice to make way for nearly 100 hardy souls who braved the cold water Saturday for the annual Passion Plunge into Lake Cochituate.

While the air temperature was an unexpectedly pleasant 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the water temperature was an icy 33.

Participants who committed to raising a minimum of $100 to benefit Massachusetts Special Olympics earned the privilege of dipping into the frigid water. This was the 15th year for the plunge, and the 8th year that AMVETS Post 79 hosted the event.

Last year’s plunge raised $10,000, and organizers hoped this year’s event would raise $15,000 to go toward supporting 12,000 Bay State Special Olympians who train and compete in a variety of sports. In addition to pledges gathered by participants, the event included raffles and an auction of Boston sports memorabilia.

Patti Doherty, the director of Schools and Youth Engagement for Special Olympics Massachusetts, said this year’s plunge was extra special because it is the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics, which supports year-round sports training for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

One of the youngest participants in the plunge was 12-year-old Victoria Miele. She helps coach and competes alongside a special needs gymnast at the Gymnastics Learning Center in Shrewsbury, which trains athletes for Special Olympics competitions.

“It was a lot of fun!” Miele said, as she warmed up in the AMVETS lakeside post after the plunge. She said she is already planning on doing it again next year.

Christine Michelson was back a second year, this year dressed as a penguin. The special education teacher at Natick High said her goal was to recruit 10 participants and to raise $1,000.

Michelson said she exceeded both of her goals by 100 percent. Her group included students, teachers and staff from Natick High, Wilson Middle and Kennedy Middle schools.

On Friday, event co-chairman and Natick resident Wayne Anthony, provost marshal of Massachusetts AMVETS, and several other committed volunteers from the Natick post made the approximately 12-by-12-foot opening in the ice so participants could wade in on Saturday.

As the participants hastily retreated from the icy water, the general consensus seemed to be that the dip was “refreshing.”

Donations to the plunge that benefit Special Olympics Massachusetts are still welcome. Pledge online at www.PolarPlungeMA.org, or contact Wayne Anthony at 774-270-3253 or John Pasierbiak at 978-879-7760.